Each year the Etter McTeer Turner Award is presented to the student who shows outstanding academic achievement, leadership and service to the community in honor of Stetson’s first woman dean of students. On May 12, Dane Moran was called to the podium to accept this award by Dr. Karen Kaivola, Associate Provost for Faculty Development, Professor of English and the J. Ollie Edmunds Chair.

Moran’s nominator praised him saying, “He is a gentleman in the truest sense of the word, and he is the best choice for this award.” Moran’s accomplishments at Stetson University support his nominator’s claim and prove he is worthy of such an award. “This student exemplifies the best qualities in Hatter academics, athletics, and community engagement,” Kaivola said.

Moran graduated with a major in Biochemistry and graduated with a 3.98 GPA. He was an Edmunds Scholar and a member of the Phi Eta Sigma honor society. Moran spread his knowledge as a chemistry tutor and received a Stetson Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) grant to further his knowledge. Moran was recognized for his academics in 2010 when he received the Chemical Rubber Corporation Award for Achievement in General Chemistry, and again this year as the Outstanding Senior in Chemistry. He plans to continue his journey of academia in medical school at Johns Hopkins University.

Moran’s qualifications go beyond academics. He has been a leader in many areas on Stetson’s campus and made many contributions to the community. Kaivola described him as, “someone we fully expect will continue to make a profound impact on others and the world wherever life leads him.” Moran made an impact on campus as a FOCUS leader, Reality campaign social influencer, an officer in the Stetson American Medical Association, and a student athlete. Moran was also active in the Student Government Association, the Student Athletic Advisory Committee, and the International Student Organization. Moran reached out to the community by volunteering at the local Blood Bank, the Good Samaritan Health Clinic, and Florida Hospital DeLand. Moran made his presence known not only on Stetson’s campus, but throughout DeLand as a leader and humanitarian. A native of Australia, he was voted ‘Mr. Hatter’ by his fellow student athletes.

Moran’s accomplishments make him deserving of the Etter McTeer Turner Award, and set the bar high for students in the future. As his nominator wrote, “he is an inspiration to his fellow students. He truly lives out Stetson’s values-centered education and exemplifies what a Stetson student should be.”

by Heather Teschner, intern, SUM Office